[nickolai]

Originally Posted by Jim Bon Jovi

From the BBC website this morning:

Last updated at 08:57 GMT, 14/11/11
Celtic discover Uefa hearing date
Celtic will face disciplinary proceedings from Uefa on 8 December over "illicit chanting" during their Europa League tie against Rennes.

Why this monstrocity cant go away is beyond me. I recently went to Belfast and went for a tour of all the old troubles on the Shankhill and Falls Road. Aside from the big "Berlin Wall" style peace walll being there still the 2 communities are a lot more tolerant of each other. There are mixed Catholic/Protestant relationships and schools on the Falls Rd play schools on the Shankhill at various sports with no trouble. There hasn't been proper trouble there for over 15 years, yet trouble betwen Celtic and Rangers supporters seem to be worsening.

[Jim Bon Jovi]

Originally Posted by nickolai

There hasn't been proper trouble there for over 15 years, yet trouble betwen Celtic and Rangers supporters seem to be worsening.

You're wrong on both counts.

I have friends and family in Belfast and have visited every year or 2 since I was a nipper and apart from a point around about 2001ish when a bunch of Loyalist and Republican splinter groups started causing trouble, the past few years has seen the most trouble on the streets since before the Good Friday agreement.

Trust me, you can still get yourself into a lot of trouble by walking down the wrong street, phoning the wrong taxi firm or drinking in the wrong bar in Belfast.

And I'd argue that up here, a lot less aggro goes along with the football now than in the past. It's just that people have finally got sick of it and started clamping down on what now is literally a minority (when it used to be a majority say 20 - 30 years ago that was intent on causing trouble) these days so it just seems worse whereas the reality is that there's less trouble but it's being reported more.

[nickolai]

Originally Posted by Jim Bon Jovi

I have friends and family in Belfast and have visited every year or 2 since I was a nipper and apart from a point around about 2001ish when a bunch of Loyalist and Republican splinter groups started causing trouble, the past few years has seen the most trouble on the streets since before the Good Friday agreement.

I just didn't get that vibe at all. I heard there was trouble on the streets about a year ago, but only the sort of trouble there was in England this summer. (minus the looting). It wasn't anti semitic or anything, just mindless yobbery. I'm on about the racist violence that plagued West Belfast years ago. Our cabbie from The Shankhill said there wasn't any of that anti semitic trouble since the 90s

[Jim Bon Jovi]

Originally Posted by nickolai

I just didn't get that vibe at all. I heard there was trouble on the streets about a year ago, but only the sort of trouble there was in England this summer. (minus the looting). It wasn't anti semitic or anything, just mindless yobbery. I'm on about the racist violence that plagued West Belfast years ago. Our cabbie from The Shankhill said there wasn't any of that anti semitic trouble since the 90s

They were rioting in the streets of East and North Belfast all throughout the Summer there and it was Catholic schemes fighting Protestant schemes...

The paramilitaries on the Shankhill and Falls are probably more interested in drug dealing and fighting amongst themselves since they're nothing but jumped up gangsters these days but there's definitely still religious trouble simmering away over there.

[ticos_stick]

I've got family in N.Ireland and visit Belfast a lot.

The trouble is still there, just on a lower scale than before. There's parts of Belfast you can only go in if you're Catholic / Protestant.

If you stick to the city centre and student areas there's not a hint of trouble though.

Places like Derry are far worse than Belfast these days.

[linnea.cfc32_jovibandana]

Originally Posted by ticos_stick

I've got family in N.Ireland and visit Belfast a lot.

The trouble is still there, just on a lower scale than before. There's parts of Belfast you can only go in if you're Catholic / Protestant.

If you stick to the city centre and student areas there's not a hint of trouble though.

Places like Derry are far worse than Belfast these days.

Derry has a much bigger "dissident" republican base, whereas Belfasts republican population is mainly Sinn Féin, who've pretty much conformed to government policies. The dissidents are often seen as the big problem, and Derry has always had a bigger 32csm/rira following.

[Jeeper]

Everton.

Wonderful gesture by them last night in donating £200,000 towards helping a 5yr old Sunderland fan who has Cancer. His parents are hoping to raise £700,000 to pay for treatment in America.

He was Sunderland's mascot last night. So very sad seeing children ill.

Proud Evertonian last night. Rooting for that little lad.

[KSantaFe]

Arsenal fan here. I'm glad to say that we have a pretty good record when it comes to serving the wider community, charities etc..

Though in terms of football, it's bloody tough being a Gooner, especially one who has not experienced title-glory.

I thoroughly respect Everton. In fact I respect most of the clubs and fan-bases in the EPL - aside from Chelsea and Spurs of course!! Liverpool supporters are quite annoying too, but I think they're a great club.

[Bounce7800]

Originally Posted by KSantaFe

Arsenal fan here.

Looking forward to seeing the mightly Lilywhites batter Monaco in front of almost 90k at Wembley tomorrow night!

[Jeeper]

Originally Posted by KSantaFe

Arsenal fan here. I'm glad to say that we have a pretty good record when it comes to serving the wider community, charities etc..

Though in terms of football, it's bloody tough being a Gooner, especially one who has not experienced title-glory.

I thoroughly respect Everton. In fact I respect most of the clubs and fan-bases in the EPL - aside from Chelsea and Spurs of course!! Liverpool supporters are quite annoying too, but I think they're a great club.

Couldn't agree more haha. I'm joking there - my best friend is a red. Every club has it's share of idiots.